The council approved an agreement with FDOT authorizing the state to acquire small slivers and strips of land totaling about 0.3 acres along Port St. Lucie Boulevard between Paar Drive and Darwin Boulevard. It is expected to cost about $1.1 million.

The land is needed for the $21 million widening of the boulevard, which could start in 2022, depending on funding.

'Huge project'

"This is a huge project," Mayor Greg Oravec said.

The project also will include sidewalks, bicycle lanes, lighting, drainage facilities, traffic signals and landscaping.

About 13,700 vehicles per day travel on Port St. Lucie Boulevard between Paar Drive and Darwin Boulevard.

"We all know it's needed," Vice Mayor Shannon Martin said about the widening project. "There is a lot of congestion."

City engineers anticipate FDOT will undertake the design work on the widening of Port St. Lucie Boulevard from Paar Drive south to Becker Road in 2021.

Intersection improvements

The council approved a second agreement with FDOT that allows $500,000 in federal funds to be spend on an intersection improvement project. Work on the $1.4 million project is expected to start in September.

One part of the project involves lengthening turning lanes at intersections on Port St. Lucie Boulevard between Gatlin Boulevard and Dalton Avenue.

The other part involves lengthening turning lanes at intersections on Galtin and Tulip boulevards from Brighton Street to College Park Road. A roundabout is planned at Tulip Boulevard and College Park Road.

The median opening in front of Bravo Supermarket and Burger King restaurant on Port St. Lucie Boulevard will be closed.